Car-coupling.



no. 7|1,|so. Patnted Oct. [4, I902.

I a. A. HERMANSON.

CAB COUPLING.

(No Model.)

WITNESSES." INVENTOR. .4 {W ,3. NW

E wonms PETzRs c0. PHDTO-LITHQ. wasnmorox n c UNTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GUSTAF A. HERMANSON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO JAMES MUNTON, OF MAYVVOOD, ILLINOIS.

CAR-COUPLING.

:iPECIFIGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 711.160, dated October 14, 1902.

Application filed July 17, 1902. Serial No. 115.895. (No model.)

lock shall be incapable'of creeping or jutnp-' ing upward while the train is in motion and in which at the same time the lock may be readily lifted at various angles by the liftingleverand connecting-chain, so that variations in the position of the lifting-lever or in the length of its lifting-arm will not interfere with the proper operation and so that at the same time if the draft-rigging gives way and the cars separate the lock will be lifted and permit the uncoupling of the couplers'and at the same time support the detached coupler by the lifting lever and chain.

My invention consists, in connection with a forked draw-head and pivoted knuckle, of a gravity-lock provided with a notch or shoulder adapted to fit under the lower web or floor of the draw-bar and a lifting-piece having a sliding or movable connection with the lock and extending through the lower web or floor of the draw-head and operating to hold the notch or shoulder in engagement with the lower web or floor of the draw-head, and thus prevent the lock from moving upward except when it is lifted by the lifting-piece.

It also consists in providing the liftingpiece with a tapering enlargement at its upper end fitting the hole or socket in the drawhead at its extreme upper portion, so that at whatever angle the lifting-chain draws the lifting-piece it will move upward freely without binding.

It also consists in providing the liftingpiece with a projecting toe or guide to cause it to properly enter the passage-way in the lower web or floor of the draw-head.

It also consists in providing the lock with an extension at its lower end furnished with a recess having a shoulder at its upper end to serve as a lock-set by engagement with the lower web or floor of the d raw-head,in to which engagement thelock-set shoulderis thrown by the projecting toe or cam on the lifting-piece. The recess in the extension of the lock is also furnished with a shoulder or projecting lip at its lower portion which engages the lower web or floor of the draw-head and prevents the look from being entirely removed from the draw-head. The lifting-piece is also provided with a shoulder on its rear face which cooperates to prevent the removal of the look from the draw-head, and the lock itself is also provided with an offset portion,the shoulder-of which is somewhat above the shoulder on the lifting-piece, so that when the lifting-piece and lock are nested close together in a raised position the lifting-piece and lock can be together withdrawn from the draw-head, thus rendering it unnecessary to employ any separate bolt, rivet, or other device for fastening the lock and keeping it from being withdrawn during service.

My invention also consists in the novel construction of parts and devices and in the novel combinations of parts and devices here in shown or described.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a central vertical longitudinal section of a carcoupler embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the lock set in position for uncoupling. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section on line 3 3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a detail elevation of the lock and lifting-piece, and Fig. 5 is an elevation of the lifting-piece and lock looking from the opposite side from Fig. l.

In the drawings like letters of reference indicate like parts in all of the figures.

In the drawings, A represents the forked draw-head, having the customary pivot-arm a and guard-arm a and draw-bar a".

B is the knuckle; O, the pivot-pin; D, the gravitylock, and F the lifting-piece, the same having a sliding connection fd with the lock, consisting, preferably, of a slot and pin, the pin having an oblong head f to permit the look and lifting-piece to be assembled or put together by turning them transverse to each other. The pinfis preferably cast integral with the lifting-piece.

The lock D has at its lower end a recess or notch d in its front face, forming a shoulder d which fits under the lower horizontal web or floor a of the draw-head to prevent the lock creeping or jumping upward when the cars are in motion or except when the lock is beinglifted by the lifting-piece. The sliding lifting-piece F extends at its lower portion through the passage-way a for the lock in the lower web a of the draw-head and alongside the lock and operates to hold or keep the shoulder 01 of the notch d normally in engagement with the lower web a of the drawhead, and thus prevent the look from moving upward except when it is lifted by the lifting-piece. The lower end of the liftingpiece F'is provided with a tapering or bevel face f to facilitate its entrance into the passage-way or opening a and with a projecting toe or guidef which by engagement with the wall a of the lock passage-way a in the drawhead guides the lifting-piece in its downward movement. To enable the lock to be readily lifted after the lifting-piece F has been moved upward sufficiently to disengage its lower end from the hole or opening a in the lower web a of the draw-head, the interengaging shoulder d and web a one or both, and preferably the shoulder ol is furnished with a bevel or tapering face (1 To enable the lock to be readily lifted by the customary liftinglever G and c0nnecting-chain g at varying angles rearward, forward, or to either side, the lifting-piece F is provided at its upper end with an enlargement f having tapering faces f which fits in the upper portion of the passage-way a in the draw-head, and while holding the lifting-piece and lock laterally in position at the same time enables the liftingpiece to be started out of the drawhead by a strain through the lifting-chain g at varying angles to the rear, front, or side. This is a great practical convenience, as frequently the position of the operating-arm of the lifting-lever varies on different cars in its relation to the look. This also insures the proper uncoupling of the couplers in case the draft-rigging of one coupler gives Way and causes the disabled coupler to be supported by the lifting-lever and chain, and thus prevents derailment or accidents arising from the dropping of a disabled coupler on the track. The lock D is also provided at its lower end with an extension D, having a notch or recess 61 therein, the upper shoulder d of which is adapted to engage and rest 'upon the lower web a of the draw-head, and

thus serve as a lock-set, said web 01, having, preferably, a raised seat a for the lock-set shoulder d After the lock is lifted by the lifting-piece to uncouple the cars and is then permitted to descend the projecting toe or guide f on the lifting-piece serves to guide the lock in its descent so that the lock-set shoulder 01 will engage the lower web a? of the draw-head, and thus set the lock in position for uncoupling when the cars subsequently separate. The lower shoulder d of the .notch or recess 61 also serves by its engagement with the lower web a of the drawhead to prevent the lock and lifting-piece connected therewith from being entirely removed from the draw-head, and thus becoming lost or stolen. A shoulderf on the lifting-piece engaging a corresponding shoulder a on the draw-head also cooperates to this end. The lock D likewise is also preferably furnished with an offset (1 The offset d is somewhat above the shoulder f on the lifting-piece, so that when the lifting-piece and lock are nested together in a raised position the lifting-piece and lock can be together withdrawn from the draw-head or inserted in place. The lock D has an offset d at its upper portion fitting a corresponding offset f on the lifting-piece. The lower portion of the lock, which cooperates with the tail of the knuckle, is thus made large to give a proper bearing against the tail of the knuckle, while its upper portion, which connects with the lifting-piece,is correspondingly small or thin, while the upper portion of the lifting-piece is made large to properly fill the passage-way of the draw-head, and its lower part F is small or thin and preferably somewhat tapering, so as to more snugly hold the lock in position and its shoulder d in proper engagement with the lower web a of the draw-head.

I claim 1. In a car-coupler, the combination Witha forked draw-head, of a knuckle, a gravitylock having a shoulder at its lower portion engaging and fitting under the lower web of the draw-head, and a lifting-piece having a sliding connection with the lock, substantially as specified.

2. In a car-coupler, the combination with a forked draw-head, of a knuckle, a gravitylock having a shoulder at its lower portion engaging and fitting under the lower web of the draw-head, and a lifting-piece having a sliding connection with the lock, the interengaging shoulder on the lock and web of the draw-head having a bevel or tapering face, substantially as specified.

3. In a car-coupler, the combination with a forked. draw-head, of a knuckle, a gravitylock having a shoulder at its lower portion engaging the lower web of the draw-head, and a lifting-piece having a sliding connection with the lock, the lower end of the liftingpiece projecting through the lock-opening in the lower web of the draw-head, substantially as specified.

4. In a car-coupler, the combination with a forked draw-head, of a knuckle, a gravitylock having a shoulder at its lower portion engaging the lower web of the draw-head, and a lifting-piece having a sliding connection with the lock, the lower end of the liftingpiece projecting through the lock-opening in the lower web of the draw-head and being provided with a tapering or bevel face, substantially as specified.

5. In a car-coupler, the combination with a forked draw-head, of a knuckle, a gravitylock having a shoulder at its lower portion engaging the lower web of the draw-head, and a lifting-piece having a sliding connection with the lock, the lower end of the liftingpiece projecting through the lock-opening in the lower web of the draw-head and being provided with a tapering or bevel face, said lifting-piece also having a projecting toe or guide to guide its downward movement, substantially as specified.

6. In a car-coupler, the combination with a forked draw-head having a lower horizontal web provided with a hole or passageway to receive the lower end of the lock,of a knuckle, a gravity-lock having a shoulder in itslower portion adapted to fit under and engage the web of the draw-head, and a lifting-piece having a sliding connection with the lock and ex-- tending at its lower end through the opening in the lower web of the draw-head to hold said shoulder on the lock in engagement with the web of the draw-head, substantially as specified.

7. In a car-coupler, the combination with a forked draw-head having a lower horizontal web provided with a hole or passage-Way to receive the lower end of the lock, of a knuckle, a gravity-lock having a shoulder in its lower portion adapted to fit under and engage the web of the d raw-head, and a lifting-piece having a sliding connection with the lock and extending at its lower end through the opening in the lower web of the draw-head to hold said shoulderon the lock in engagement with the web of the draw-head, said lifting-piece having a tapering enlargement at its upper end fitting the hole or socket in the draw-head at its upper portion to enable the lock to be lifted at varying angles by the lifting chain and lever, substantially as specified.

8. In acar-coupler, the combination with a forked draw-head having a lower horizontal web provided with a hole or passage-way to receive the lower end of the lock, of a knuckle, a gravity-lock having a shoulder in its lower portion adapted to fit under and engage the web of the draw-head, and a lifting-piece having a sliding connection with the lock and extending at its lower end through the opening in the lower web of the draw-head to hold said shoulder on the lock in engagement With the web of the draw-head, said lock having an extension at its lower end having a recess and shoulder at the upper end thereof to serve as a lock-set by engagement with the lower web of the draw-head, substantially as specified.

9. In a car-coupler, the combination with a forked draw-head having a lower horizontal web provided with a hole or passage-way to a gravity-lock having a shoulder in its lower portion adapted to fit under and engage the" web of the draw-head, and a lifting-piece having a sliding connection with the lock and extending at its lower end through the opening in the lower web of the d raw-head to hold said shoulder on the lock in engagement with the web of the draw'head, said lifting-piece having a projecting too or guide, substantially as specified.

10. In acar-coupler, the combination with a forked draw-head having a lower horizontal web provided with a hole or passage-way to receive the lowerend of the lock, ofa knuckle, a gravity-lock having a shoulder in its lower portion adapted to fit under and engage the web of the draw-head, and a lifting-piece hav- 8 ing a sliding connection with the lock and extending at its lower end through the opening in the lower web of the draw-head to hold said shoulder on the lock in engagement with the web of the draw-head, said lifting-piece having a projecting too or guide, said. lock having an extension at its lower end furnished with a recess having a shoulder at the upper end thereof to serve as a lock-set by engagement with the lower web of the draw-head, the projecting too or guide on the liftingpiece cooperating to guide the lock-set shoulder into engagement with the web of the drawhead, substantially as specified.

11. In a car-coupler, the combination with a forked draw-head having a lower horizontal web provided with a hole or passage-way to receive the lower end of the lock, of a knuckle, a gravity-lock having a shoulder in its lower portion adapted to fit under and engage the web of the draw-head, and a lifting-piece having a sliding connection with the lock and extending at its lower end through the opening in the lower web of the draw-head to hold said shoulder on the lock in engagement with the web of the draw-head, said lifting-piece having a projecting toe or guide, said lock having an extension at its lower end furnished with a recess having a shoulder at the upper end thereof to serve as a lock-set by engage. ment with the lower web of the drawhead, the projecting toe or guide on the liftingpiece cooperating to guide the lockset shoulderinto engagement with the web of the drawhead, said recess in the extension of the lock having also a shoulder at its lower end to prevent the withdrawal of the look from the drawhead by engagement with the lower web of the draw-head, substantially as specified.

12. In a car-coupler, the combination with a forked draw-head having a lower horizontal web provided with a hole or passage-way to receive the lower end of thelock, of a knuckle, a gravity-lock having a shoulder on its lower portion adapted to fit under and engage the web of the draw-head, and a lifting-piece having a sliding connection with the lock and extending at its lower end through the opening in the lower web of the draw-head to hold said shoulder on the lock in engagement with the Web of the draw-head, said lifting-piece having a projecting toe or guide said lock having an extension at its lower end furnished with a recess having a shoulder at the upper end thereof to serve as a lock-set by engagement with the lower web of the drawhead, the projecting toe or guide on the lift ing-piece cooperating to guide the lock-set shoulder into engagement with the web of the draw-head, said recess in the extension of the lock having also a shoulder at its lower end to prevent the withdrawal of the look from the draw-head by engaging with the lower web of the draw-head, said lifting-piece being also provided with a shoulder on its rear face cooperati ng with a shoulder on the d raw-head substantially as specified.

13. In a car-coupler, the combination with a forked draw-head, of a knuckle, a gravity lock and a lifting-piece having a sliding connection with the lock, the lock having a shoulder engaging the lower web of the draw-head to prevent its creeping or jumping upward, the lock having an ofl'set at its upper portion and the lifting-piece having a corresponding interfitting oEset at its lower portion, substantially as specified.

14. In a car-coupler, the combination with a forked draw-head, of a knuckle, a gravitylock and a lifting-piece having a sliding connection with the lock, said lifting-piece having a tapering enlargement at its upper portion to enable the lock to be lifted by the lifting-chain and lever at varying angles, substantially as specified.

15. In a car-coupler, the combination with a forked draw-head, of a knuckle, agravitylock and a lifting-piece having a sliding connection with the lock, the lifting-piece having a shoulder on its rear face engaging a corresponding shoulder on the draw-head and the lock having an offset on its front face, the shoulder of which is above the should er on the lifting-piece to enable the lock and liftingpiece to be inserted in the draw-head and withdrawn when the two are nested together, substantially as specified.

GUSTAF A. HERMANSON.

WVitnesses:

EDMUND ADCOCK, 1-1. M. MUNDAY. 

